Cloud shuffled in, setting his book bag down next to the wall nearest his bed

Cloud shuffled in, setting his book bag down next to the wall nearest his bed. As usual, Leon was already home. He was seated quietly at the computer desk, typing away on some report that was undoubtedly due soon.

How Leon managed to leave and get home before Cloud did—especially when Leon's last class let out ten minutes after his—was beyond him, but the answer to that mystery was more than likely within Leon's How-to book on perfectionism, promptness, and properness.

He already felt the quiet tension in the room, even though Leon hadn't said a word. Cloud muttered a "hey."

Leon moved the mouse to the right and clenched his jaw. "Hi." He mumbled quietly without looking up.

Cloud sighed and flopped down his bed as if that greeting was the equivalent to running a five-hundred meter dash, but upon sitting back, he noticed his pillows weren't as lumpy as they had always been. In fact, they were completely deprived of their usual irregular and lopsided charm.

He sat up suddenly. Actually, the entirety of his usually unkempt bedding had been reorganized in the same manner as his pillows. He looked cautiously at the back of Leon's head. Again, he was still incognizant of Cloud.

He let out a sigh as if he'd just lost the not-yet-started argument. "Hey, um, Leon..."

Leon continued typing. "What is it Cloud?" It was really more of a statement.

"Did you...do something to my bed?"

"Yes, I did. I couldn't stand it any longer."

Cloud couldn't decide what to say, but then it occurred to him suddenly...

"Oh, well...thanks."

Leon turned around in his chair, not sure he had heard correctly.

"What...what did you say?"

Cloud flushed slightly. "I...I said thanks." He straitened his throat, not at all expecting the absence of hostility in Leon's voice.

Leon paused, finally able to take in the fact that something—no matter how small or insignificant this particular item happened to be—was finally being appreciated. He narrowed his eyes. He couldn't find an ulterior motive...

He turned back around in his chair. "You're welcome."

With that, silence resumed. Cloud sat wordlessly on his bed, and Leon continued on with his rhythmic typing. It was in this casual serenity that Cloud thought it best to bring up the topic of his absence that evening. Leon liked to be notified in advance if there would be a possibility of Cloud's late return. This, however, could possibly become a bad idea, but still an idea that had to be carried through

Gathering up all his courage, he prepared himself to enter the battle field.

"Hey, Um, Leon?"

"What?"

"You know, um...I was planning on going to that party this evening...okay?"

Leon's back stiffened. "You don't need my permission."

Cloud noticed that some of that once caged hostility was seeping through the bars.

"I know, but...well, I figured I should tell you... or something..."

Leon, lidded his eyes and let out an elongated sigh. "Do what you want."

Cloud frowned, not quite liking the avenue this conversation was taking.

"Er, you know, you can...come too if you want."

"Ha!" Leon snorted, hardly concealing his antipathy. "I'm sure I can think of far more creative ways to squander my time, thanks."

Cloud chewed his lip. "Oh...well..."

"But," Leon said seriously, "I advise against going with that—I believe your wording was friend—of yours. You'll only end up in trouble."

It was Cloud's turn to let out a snort. "Ha! I know what I'm doing thank you very much, and I'll go out with whomever I please."

Leon shrugged apathetically. "Then don't bring him back here. I mean it. The way you go out, you won't be home before I get to bed, and I—not unlike you, I might add—have to get up early."

Cloud tipped his head back and crossed his arms. "Fine then, we wouldn't want to come back here anyway."

"Please, don't make me smile. I'm already in a good mood. I don't think I can take it all in one day."

"You know what your problem is? You're way too misanthropical."

"I couldn't agree with you more." Leon said flatly, thus ending the conversation.

Cloud grunted, stuck his tongue out at the back of Leon's head, and swung around on his bed and grabbed his book bag sitting on the floor next to the wall. He had better things to do than worry about Leon and his complexes. He had notes to finish taking.

Leon frowned at the computer screen. Cloud irritated him beyond question, that was apparent, but for some reason, today he was even more nettled at him. A bit of his annoyance was alleviated when Cloud had paid him a thank-you, but it returned at undivided force when Cloud had mentioned that miserable party. He didn't mind staying home, in fact, Leon was planning to savor the rare moment the dorm halls were quiet, but there was this nagging feeling in the back of his mind, and much too late he would realize simply...

...He didn't want Cloud to go.

XxX

Quite a bit of time passed, and Cloud began to fidget. It was getting closer to time. The plan was for Seifer to come pick him up, and the both of them would head over together. He rolled over onto his back—books and papers spread over the surface of his bed—stealing a quick glance at the clock. A grin crept across his face.

He sat up again, gathering up all of his belongings, and shoved them into a nearby folder, and placed that back into his book bag. He stood up and dusted himself off. Time well spent had come to a much anticipated end.

Then the silence was quickly cut with several loud knocks on the door.

Cloud moved toward it with hinted excitement. Of course, on the other side stood Seifer, who equally as eager.

"Ready?"

"Yup," Cloud said. Then he leaned back. "Alright, I'm outta here. Don't wait up."

Leon didn't even turn around. "Count on it."

Cloud chuckled, and closed the door behind them.